logo

Video encyclopedia

SN 1987A

2:28

Observing Supernova 1987A

3:10

A Tour of Supernova 1987A

9:28

Long Missing Remnant Star of 1987 Supernova Just Found!

5:29

Supernova Visible to the Naked Eye in 1987

0:36

Supernova 1987A Sonification

SN 1987A was a peculiar type II supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy satellite of the Milky Way. It occurred approximately 51.4 kiloparsecs from Earth and was the closest observed supernova since Kepler's Supernova, visible from earth in 1604. 1987A's light reached Earth on February 23, 1987, and as the first supernova discovered that year, was labeled "1987A". Its brightness peaked in May, with an apparent magnitude of about 3.
  • Discovery 

  • Progenitor 

  • Neutrino emissions 

  • Neutron star 

  • Light curve 

  • Interaction with circumstellar material 

  • Condensation of warm dust in the ejecta